Looks like 631 is having some blind issues. Front and side keep flashing on and off when in motion.

(01 Oct 2013, 10:43 am)Liam wrote

That actually looks quite nice, I'm impressed so far will see what it looks like once they've been branded.

A Northern MPD on the 20a was rattling more than normal yesterday afternoon.

I have forgotten the fleet number, was in front of me at a junction.

The bolts which were added to the rear bumper and the corner of the bumper (underneath the rear light cluster) had worked loose/snapped.
So while the rear bumper was fastened to the vehicle, the corner section was hanging loose - rattling and banging away to its hearts content.

(29 Sep 2013, 12:45 pm)W179SCU wrote The 24 isn't really that well used from Dalton Park towards Durham, but is always quite busy heading towards Sunderland. I think it would be beneficial to re-route the X7 via Dalton Park, for a new link to Wingate, Stockton and Middlesbrough.

The 24 picks up the majority of its passengers between Easington and Durham. I have to admit I've never had a full bus going into Sunderland, but there are quite a few times I've had a standing load heading back towards Durham.

After complaining to my local councilor about the removal of the 309 Cobalt clipper service at 6.14 from Blyth i am pleased to tell that as of 14th October a new service will resume at 6.08 from Blyth.
Here is the reply from Ian Coe , Transport Support Manager at Northumberland Council.
Thank you for your e-mail to Councillor Cartie expressing concern at the withdrawal of the 6.15am bus from Blyth. I am sorry for my delay in replying.

I fully understand the difficulty this has caused you and other passengers and have spoken to Go North East about this. They only require a small amount of subsidy per day to put this journey back in the timetable from 14th October – albeit at the slightly earlier time of 6.08am from Blyth. This offers value for money on the basis of around 10 passengers per day.

(01 Oct 2013, 1:08 pm)mcoyne wrote After complaining to my local councilor about the removal of the 309 Cobalt clipper service at 6.14 from Blyth i am pleased to tell that as of 14th October a new service will resume at 6.08 from Blyth.
Here is the reply from Ian Coe , Transport Support Manager at Northumberland Council.
Thank you for your e-mail to Councillor Cartie expressing concern at the withdrawal of the 6.15am bus from Blyth. I am sorry for my delay in replying.

I fully understand the difficulty this has caused you and other passengers and have spoken to Go North East about this. They only require a small amount of subsidy per day to put this journey back in the timetable from 14th October – albeit at the slightly earlier time of 6.08am from Blyth. This offers value for money on the basis of around 10 passengers per day.

Good for you!
I am glad common sense has been shown by the council.

However (starts waving red flag) - I am absolutely disgusted, GNE have only reinstated the service on the proviso of using public funds.

Northern liveried scania 4944 has broken down by the west park. Stanhope road. South shields.

Must have been on service 50 to break down at that location and was probably the shock of entering south shields that caused it to break down.

4853 has just rather unusually left Sunderland out of service out of service rather than performing Lime 8 to Stanley. Was only 5 mins late!

(01 Oct 2013, 3:02 pm)Daniel wrote 4853 has just rather unusually left Sunderland out of service out of service rather than performing Lime 8 to Stanley. Was only 5 mins late!

There was a smash earlier at Grindon roundabout.
Services are going via Hylton Road - not sure if that has anything to do with this bus though, especially if it is just 5mins late.

(01 Oct 2013, 3:10 pm)Andreos1 wrote There was a smash earlier at Grindon roundabout.
Services are going via Hylton Road - not sure if that has anything to do with this bus though, especially if it is just 5mins late.

Unless it was 35 mins late, I don't know...
Good ol' 2C was on time though.

(01 Oct 2013, 3:13 pm)Daniel wrote Unless it was 35 mins late, I don't know...
Good ol' 2C was on time though.

Car upside down in metal fence after Sunderland Chester Road smash.

A CAR flipped onto its roof and became embedded in a metal fence in a serious smash in Sunderland.

Emergency crews were scrambled to Chester Road this afternoon after the car ended up on the fencing separating the east and westbound carriageways.


http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/local...-1-6103545

(01 Oct 2013, 12:06 pm)CatsFast101 wrote That actually looks quite nice, I'm impressed so far will see what it looks like once they've been branded.

Looks like the Star Trek font...

(01 Oct 2013, 10:43 am)Liam wrote Connections 4

Look's great, seen the notice yesterday on the M1, can't for the citaro's to come in service =D

Iv'e had a look back and can't find it

When does the MOT run out on the Daf's, is it this month?

(01 Oct 2013, 7:24 pm)Michael wrote Iv'e had a look back and can't find it

When does the MOT run out on the Daf's, is it this month?

31/10 for the Waggonways, yes.
Little longer for the Worms.

(01 Oct 2013, 7:26 pm)Daniel wrote 31/10 for the Waggonways, yes.

(01 Oct 2013, 7:26 pm)Daniel wrote 31/10 for the Waggonways, yes.
Little longer for the Worms.

Cheer's... tbh we are all gonna miss them when they get withdrawn in the next few weeks... haha

Has their being any confirmation of where the Northen Scania's are going from the M1?

(01 Oct 2013, 7:26 pm)Daniel wrote 31/10 for the Waggonways, yes.
Little longer for the Worms.

Will this be the same date for the Lambton Worm examples also

(01 Oct 2013, 7:33 pm)Michael wrote Cheer's... tbh we are all gonna miss them when they get withdrawn in the next few weeks... haha

Has their being any confirmation of where the Northen Scania's are going from the M1?

We will, we will.

There hasn't, no. May feature in this week's news though - we'll just have to wait and see

(01 Oct 2013, 7:34 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote Will this be the same date for the Lambton Worm examples also

'Little longer for the Worms'.

Just noted this post on the GNE page on the new 4 service info thing..

Nils Erin Ovington Any chance of the 28 and 28a routes getting some new busses?
5 hours ago via mobile · Like

Go North East We're continually investing in new vehicles. When we do so it's usually the oldest vehicles from the fleet that are phased out.
5 hours ago · Like

Nils Erin Ovington Well I'm hopeful the waggonway busses will be replaced... they're very old, sound awful and are rather unpleseant allround.
5 hours ago via mobile · Like

Lewis Smith I think the old M1 buses are going on Waggonway, thus they are being painted purple, although could be wrong, but what i heard

Lewis is spot on and Lucky for Nils, he's getting some scania's =D

(we all knew but just posting what was on their page)...

(01 Oct 2013, 7:37 pm)Daniel wrote We will, we will.

There hasn't, no. May feature in this week's news though - we'll just have to wait and see



'Little longer for the Worms'.

ahh right was just curious, although thinking about it they'll stick about until the Streetlites arrive so the Versas can be transferred over from the Drifter.

As for the Northern Scanias, I think 2 will remain at Washington and the others will end up at Chester le Street for usage on the 71 replacing the SPD's.

Would be nice for the 71 to finally get decent buses

When are the Scania's getting branded for the Waggonway?

Very much doubt they will be for the 71s. Id say they were more likely to be used on something like the X3/X36s or the 95/96s

95/96 seem the best option.

I would like to see them on the Lime for the time being but looks like we have to wait till Jan for that

(01 Oct 2013, 8:25 pm)Michael wrote I would like to see them on the Lime for the time being but looks like we have to wait till Jan for that

Would a better option be to buy brand new buses for the Lime?

Has anyone got a photo of the interior of the new Citaros? Just wondering with the emergency exit being located in the centre, whether it will have such an odd seating layout or not?

(01 Oct 2013, 8:29 pm)BJ10VUS wrote Has anyone got a photo of the interior of the new Citaros? Just wondering with the emergency exit being located in the centre, whether it will have such an odd seating layout or not?

Hopefully they don't have that raised seat that faces backwards towards the rear

(01 Oct 2013, 8:32 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote Hopefully they don't have that raised seat that faces backwards towards the rear

It does, 2 raised seats, one forward facing and one rear facing

(01 Oct 2013, 8:27 pm)Daniel wrote Would a better option be to buy brand new buses for the Lime?

Or that...

(01 Oct 2013, 8:35 pm)citaro5284 wrote It does, over the wheel arch

god damn it, I shall try and not sit in this seat as it is just awful as I learned on the 2C a few weeks back